Governor Declares Ware, Brantley Disaster Areas
Winds Blow Biggest Ga. Fire Back Into Swamp
Effort To Save Property Shifts West
The news was not as good in Atkinson County, west of Waycross, where all state routes and schools were closed as a 4,200-acre wildfire was burning out of control.About eight homes were evacuated. Because it was burning in a peat bog more than a dozen feet deep, it was extremely hot and difficult to fight. Its cause was under investigation, but arson was not suspected.Despite the ongoing challenges of extreme drought conditions, no rain in the forecast and shifting winds, firefighters were making good progress and strengthening the lines around the larger blaze."Things looked good with the big fire yesterday," said Georgia Forestry Commission spokesman Byron Haire.He said that most of the new acres burned were inside the Okefenokee Swamp, an ecological environment that actually benefits from fires.U.S. Highway 1 between Folkston and Waycross remained closed Tuesday, but schools in both Charlton and Ware counties were open on Tuesday.U.S. 82 was between the Mill community in Ware County and Pearson in Atkinson County was also closed Tuesday, with traffic being detoured westbound down Manor Millwood Road to Carswell Avenue.Southside Christian School in Waycross will be closed on Wednesday due to smoke.Arson Suspected In New Fires
On Monday, the Georgia Forestry Commission decided at least three of the smaller spot fires burning in Ware and Charlton counties were suspicious enough to warrant further investigation, said Eric Mosley, a forestry spokesman.Officials are certain arson did not cause the main fire, Mosley said. That fire started when a tree fell across live power lines April 16. Officials say it has destroyed 22 homes.But Mosley said the Forestry Commission suspects at least three fires may have been set by arsonists. One of them ignited last week behind the firefighters' command post on U.S. 1 near the Okefenokee Swamp Park.The governor also raised concerns about possible arson, saying anyone who is guilty of setting one would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."Arsonists, you better beware -- you will get burned. I'm just telling you, we won't tolerate people in Georgia setting fire that will harm property and people," Purdue said.Anyone with information about suspicious fires are asked to call the Arson Tip Hotline at 800-282-5804.- April 30, 2007: Crews Head To Charlton, Prepare For Wildfire To Burn Out Of Swamp
- April 29, 2007: Fire Officials: Huge Wildfire In SE Georgia 70 Percent Contained
- April 28, 2007: Firefighters Work To Contain Largest Wildfire In Georgia History
- April 27, 2007: Fatigue Sets In After 12-Day Struggle With Wildfire
- April 27, 2007: 100s Remain Evacuated As Wildfire Threatens To Spread
- April 26, 2007: Ga. Wildfire Rekindles, Forcing More Evacuations, School Closures
- April 26, 2007: Ware Officials Urge Evacuation Of 2 Towns As Fire Spreads
- April 25, 2007: Fire Forces New Evacuations South Of Waycross
- April 24, 2007: Massive Ware County Fire 50 Percent Contained
- April 21, 2007: Lighter Winds Push 55,000-Acre Wildfire Away From Waycross
- April 21, 2007: Gusty Wind Moves Fire Away From Waycross; 58 Square Miles Charred
- April 20, 2007: Smoke From Ga. Wildfire Reaches Central Fla.
- April 19, 2007: Firefighters 'Optimistic' About Ware County Fire
- April 19, 2007: 2,400 Flee Two Fast-Burning Wildfires
- April 18, 2007: Ware County Fire Grows To 19,000 Acres
- April 17, 2007: Homes Evacuated, Schools Closed By Ware County Brush Fire
- April 16, 2007: South Georgia Wildfires Burn More Than 2,400 Acres
Copyright 2007 by News4Jax.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.







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